Swerve Strickland has responded to Booker T's latest criticism with a sharp, humor-driven clapback — and used the moment to showcase his Reebok Answer 3 "Swerve" collaboration sneaker in the process.
On a recent episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T took aim at rising WWE star Je'Von Evans, suggesting the 21-year-old "probably grew up watching guys like" Swerve and needs to "get rid of those bad habits." The comment clearly framed Strickland's influence as a negative, a continuation of the WWE Hall of Famer's longstanding issues with the former AEW World Champion.
Strickland didn't fire back with a lengthy rant. Instead, he turned the dig into a branding opportunity. After a fan joked on social media asking how many pairs of shoes Swerve wore out "tap dancing" for WWE, Strickland replied with a photo of his Reebok Answer 3 collaboration and wrote: "If he needs a new pair he can borrow mine."
The response works on multiple levels. It mocks the "tap dancing" narrative that's often been directed at Black wrestlers, while simultaneously positioning Swerve as the one with the mainstream crossover leverage — a signature sneaker deal with Reebok — and Booker as the one who could use a new pair.
A Feud That Goes Back to AEW Dynasty
The tension between Strickland and Booker T has been building for over a year. During a VladTV interview, Strickland questioned Booker's defense of WWE's treatment of Black talent, pointing to specific incidents including Vince McMahon using a racial slur in Booker's presence. Booker fired back on his podcast, expressing disappointment and saying he had personally spoken to Swerve about his comments.
Things escalated at AEW Dynasty 2025, when Strickland closed the show by telling the Philadelphia crowd "F*** Booker T." Booker called the moment unprofessional, said it overshadowed the pay-per-view itself, and vowed he was done putting Swerve over publicly.
Booker's "bad habits" line aimed at Je'Von Evans is the latest shot in that ongoing exchange, and Swerve's sneaker-fueled response makes clear he has no intention of letting the rivalry fade. If anything, Strickland seems content to keep flipping Booker's criticism into content — turning a veteran's jab into a chance to promote his brand while keeping the back-and-forth in the public eye.
